Medical Chief Neglects to Initiate Legal Action Against Operators of Catholic Hospitals
In a controversial ruling, the Hamm Labour Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by gynecologist Joachim Volz against the Catholic-run Lippstadt Clinic's directive that prohibits abortions except in very limited circumstances. The court ruled that the clinic had the right to enforce this abortion ban based on its Christian administration's religious principles.
The Lippstadt Clinic, previously an Evangelical Hospital, is now under Catholic ownership. Under the new ownership, medically indicated abortions are prohibited, including in cases of severe fetal malformations. The clinic permits abortions as an exception if the life of the pregnant woman is in danger.
The lawsuit was filed due to the ban on performing abortions that Dr. Volz had previously done in rare cases. The doctor, who is also the chief doctor at the Lippstadt Clinic, stated that he doesn't want to leave women alone and send them away. However, the court's ruling does not overturn the dismissal of the doctor's lawsuit.
Judge Klaus Griese clarified that medically indicated abortions are not categorically prohibited in the clinic, but are partially still permitted: If the life of the mother or the unborn life is in danger, an abortion is allowed according to the new instruction.
The ruling followed significant public reaction, including protests involving about 2,000 people advocating against the Catholic hospital's abortion ban and a petition with around 230,000 signatures opposing the restrictions. The case highlights tensions between religiously affiliated healthcare providers’ policies and doctors’ professional responsibilities in Germany.
Dr. Volz has announced plans to appeal the decision, arguing that the ban contradicts his medical duties and restricts legally permitted healthcare options. No further details about the final appeal outcome or subsequent developments were found in the search results.
The abortion ban in the clinic service instruction extends to Dr. Volz's approximately 50 kilometers away private practice in Bielefeld. The dispute over the abortion ban at the Lippstadt Clinic continues, with implications for the balance between religious freedom and medical practice in Germany.
- The clinic's community policy now includes a prohibition on medically indicated abortions, even in cases of severe fetal malformations, which aligns with the science-based health-and-wellness approach typically advocated by medical professionals, but contradicts the policy as practiced by Dr. Volz in his vocational training and current role.
- In light of the ruling, the mental-health implications for both the medical professionals and the affected communities are significant, as the ongoing dispute highlights potential conflicts between religious beliefs and the provision of comprehensive medical care, raising questions about the role of vocational training in balancing these competing interests.
